Poll: Do you run an airstone/bubbler in your system full time?

[dbl]

There was a discussion over the weekend regarding the use running an airstone/bubbler full time in your aquarium. The discussion revolved around oxygen/gas exchange and stability of pH. It was suggested a poll was created to determine how many actually utilize an airstone full time in their systems.

So, let us know if you do. If you do, let us know if you run it in your display or your sump/refugium. I've added the skimmer as an option as well as there are some skimmers that utilize an airstone.

Please feel free to discuss your reasoning for utilizing an airstone in the thread.

 

[Crabs McJones]

No air bubbler, just alot of surface agitation from my powerheads

 

[Rcpilot]

I'm returning to the hobby after several years away. Some things have changed a lot. Some things have stayed pretty much the same. This topic has me confused.

People are doing their best to avoid microbubbles in their sumps and plumbing -- and then turn around and drop an airstone and pump into the system somewhere, to help with o2 levels and pH?

Seems like 1 step forward and 3 steps backwards.

 

[cracker]

Sometimes I do, Also my sump I put the baffles opposite (under over under ) I was trying to get an upwelling effect . I ended up with a stagnent water surfaces in the ref & return. This forms a scum that I have to carefully pull off by laying a sheet of paper towel on the surface. So I think I will try an airstone in each just to disrupt the water surface .

 

[CindyKz]

Nope.

 

[C-Reefer]

I've tried putting one in the back of my AIO but the salt creep is terrible.

 

[chipmunkofdoom2]

I run an air pump on my octopus tank because it's covered and doesn't have a sump. But not on my reef.

 

[Deiblerj]

I run a small airstone in my QT under a bag of media just to get some better flow. The fish love swimming through it!

For my DT I only use a couple wavemakers and my HOB filter for flow/movement.

I will say running the airstone makes all sorts of a salt creep mess!

 

[CC13]

There was a discussion over the weekend regarding the use running an airstone/bubbler full time in your aquarium. The discussion revolved around oxygen/gas exchange and stability of pH. It was suggested a poll was created to determine how many actually utilize an airstone full time in their systems.

So, let us know if you do. If you do, let us know if you run it in your display or your sump/refugium. I've added the skimmer as an option as well as there are some skimmers that utilize an airstone.

Please feel free to discuss your reasoning for utilizing an airstone in the thread.

A skimmer is a full time bubbler lol.

That's all I use.

 

[Waters]

No....really no need. If I am remembering correctly, it was determined that there is really no benefit from one small airstone regarding PH. Maybe if you had a Pico tank it would help with water movement I guess but then you have to deal with salt creep.

 

[PanchoG]

No air bubbler, not now, not ever.

 

[jgvergo]

A skimmer is a full time bubbler lol.

That's all I use.

I agree. I think the survey question was confusing. If everyone who runs a skimmer selected "Yes - In the skimmer", it would have almost all the votes.

 

[demonspeedn]

I run an airstone under my return pump on waterchange day. The bubbles helps float the small particles to the sump and makes the water crystal clear.

 

[JBKReef]

I agree. I think the survey question was confusing. If everyone who runs a skimmer selected "Yes - In the skimmer", it would have almost all the votes.

Agreed the question was posed weirdly, I clicked no bubbler however my skimmer is on 24/7 and couldnt imagine an air stone would put out any comparison to that amount of bubblage.

 

[CC13]

LOL I was the only one to click 'Other - discuss'

 

[Billdogg]

I clicked "other" as well. If the skimmer counts, and in this context I don't think it does, then I would have to go for 24/7/365.

I keep several battery air pumps on hand for the infrequent power outages that happen around here. They are invaluable then. Otherwise, the answer is no. Why would I want to increase the amount of salt creep anywhere near my tank?

 

[C-Reefer]

I run an airstone under my return pump on waterchange day. The bubbles helps float the small particles to the sump and makes the water crystal clear.

Interesting idea. So your basically doing like a skimmer except trying fort eh bigger particulate?

 

[DeniseAndy]

I have an airstone in my upflow algae scrubber. Otherwise none.

 

[Dan Huynh]

A skimmer is a full time bubbler lol.

That's all I use.

I was about to say the same ....

 

[demonspeedn]

Interesting idea. So your basically doing like a skimmer except trying fort eh bigger particulate?

Pretty much. I only need to run for about an hour before the WC.